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Recurrence?
My social media post is flooded, at present, with stories of women who are, or have recently, come through a second or third battle with cancer. It's a bit overwhelming! 7 months out from diagnosis of small, early, invasive BC, and 6 weeks post end of my treatment, I'd really appreciate a "hands up" from any lovely ladies who were diagnose and treated in their 50s or early 60s who are 5-10 years post without a recurrence or new cancer. Thanks, Lovelies.113ViewsSign in to react to this post3CommentsPost-treatment Tired and can't afford to be
Hi there, I am a 60 year old who has had a pretty-easy, early-invasive BC journey: Small, ER+, PR+, HER-; Lumpectomy with clear margins; 2 lymph nodes taken but uninvolved; Axillar seroma drained; 15 fractions of RT; Maybe some early lymphodema in breast, Letrozole from diagnosis through RT but then told I would not benefit much from it (0.6% benefit in reduced recurrence rates) and discontinued it due to side effects. I am 4 months post-surgery and 6 weeks post-RT, and have been off Letrazole for a month or more. I am back at clerical work (work from home) full-time now, after working back up gradually, and I am stuffed! I can barely get out of bed in the morning, and if I can stay upright in my seat and keep my brain focussed, by the end of the day I am completely useless. Rad Onc says the fatigue should not be RT related at this point. Now I feel like I should be able to just "snap out of it" but that's totally beyond me and I just want to cry and sleep. (For transparency, I should maybe admit (& remember for my own benefit) that since my initial biopsy my husband and I have organised a son's engagement party, done a road trip and purchased a home 1500 km away, organised renovations and done 2 more trips to keep tabs on the works, watched 2nd son sworn in as a cop, and seen no. 1 son marry. Maybe that's part of the fatigue ...along with the panic over working full-time, decluttering/downsizing, packing and moving in 3 months.) Maybe my problem is actually a dose of insanity...? 🤪 Can anyone with a similar, "straightforward" BC journey share whether their "normal" returned and how long it took? Thanks for "listening".140ViewsSign in to react to this post7CommentsEffect of High-dose Vitamin C Combined With Anti-cancer Treatment on Breast Cancer Cells.
Please see medical research link below regarding this topic. I haven't been on this site for a while and surprised I couldn't find topics on this subject except a comment from a BCNA staffer. As well as the usual Specialists, I see an integrative GP. She administers high dose Vit C infusions to breast cancer patients, including me. I've been clear now for 8 years. The medical evidence for this being beneficial in the fight against breast cancer cells is becoming clear and more widely accepted now, even among the old guard. So, I am wondering, why don't more women know about this? Are there any other women having it? If so, how is it going? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/30711954/380ViewsSign in to react to this post12CommentsWhat would you do if you were me?
Hello everyone, I have a big decision to make and need to get some different takes on it. This is my basic situation in dot point form: New primary dx. of Stage 2b ER+ PR+ HER2- right sided IDC with some DCIS in July 2026 Lumpectomy and SLNB done three weeks ago Clear margins and 7 nodes taken, all clear but extensive lympho-vascular involvement on histopathology report Previous hx. of Stage 3a left sided ER+ PR+ HER2- IDC with some DCIS in 2016 Had neoadjuvant FEC-D chemo, lumpectomy and axillary clearance, radiation and hormonal therapy in 2016 with complete pathological response Oh and lymphoedema in left arm just because why not add insult to injury My oncologist says she and her buddies all concur that I need chemo again because of the extensive lympho-vascular involvement. She painted a very grim picture to me of possibly having a recurrence or distant mets if I don't do chemo again, but only do radiotherapy and hormonal therapy. She seems to think that some cancer may have slipped through my blood or lymph vessels and could come back as metastatic disease in the next few years if I do not have chemo, and could die within 2 or 3 years worst case scenario. My cancer is grade 3, KI67 45%. I told her I have been utterly traumatised by breast cancer treatment personally, and having just lost my Mum to advanced lung cancer with brain mets last September, I am basically going to be unable to cope with the mental and physical damage that undergoing chemo again would cause. I cared for my Mum for 3 short months and threw away my whole life, work, health and everything to keep her with me as long as possible but it was not enough. I was beyond heartbroken to lose her and still have had no chance to truly grieve, due to having to now fight for my own life again. I'm 48, single, no kids. I have no extended family still alive and living near me, and not estranged due to family grudges that I wasn't even a part of. I have PTSD and have been on worker's comp for a couple of years. I have a few good friends but they live in different states, and some are actually in their 60s and 70s, some younger than me. I live alone. I have to clean out and sell my Mum's house and use the income to live off until I can figure out what the next phase of my life will be. I'm devastated to have to have this all on my plate. If you've read this far, thank you! Bear with me. Can you please honestly tell me, having considered all of the above, if you would go ahead and do a second horrifying stretch of chemo, radiation and hormone blocking drugs, knowing the toll it takes on you even in 'ideal' circumstances let alone in my particular circumstances? Would you want to live through the next 10-15 years after treatment only to most likely get cancer again and know you would not be able to fight it again? Is quality of life and actually ENJOYING life, having freedom and independence, feeling like a woman, and not being a slav…125ViewsSign in to react to this post3Comments6 weeks after surgery
Hello everyone its been awhile since I was active here . I’ve had a lot happen in the past few months after my diagnosis. Lumpectomy at end of August. During the operation the nipple lost blood supply. Over the next two weeks, the Drs tried to save it but couldn’t. So I had another operation on 18th Sept to remove nipple. Then, this past weekend, yet another operation because there was necrotic tissue preventing healing. So I’ve had the tissue removed & lots of stitches. Today a checkup & my surgeon said there was a lot of dead tissue when they sewed me up & has suggested a mastectomy of left breast. To stop further degradation of breast tissue. I’m actually ok with that decision. What I’m confused about are all the options. Reconstruction of the breast using tissue/skin from my tummy or back or to stay flat. But not sure about having one breast. I’m not a candidate for implants. (I’m 68) I have decided that I won’t take aromatase inhibitors nor do radiation (that’s my personal choice) Thanks it’s been quite the journey!115ViewsSign in to react to this post4CommentsHow soon after mastectomy can unusual scar be "tidied"
It is 9 weeks since my mastectomy. My scar has healed well, so far, with intermittent swelling in my armpit. My main concern is my "triple" cleavage with a fairly hard "knob" between two of the "valleys" and at the outer end another fairly pointy lump which doesn't "stretch out" when I lift my arm. Most bras, needed to manage the remaining 14DD boob, dig into the outer end of scar, which has a reasonably firm, elongated lump below, where bra bands go. I feel like I have a mini " bagpipe" in my left axilla and below. Going to see surgeon who did my 3 surgeries later this month, I just wonder if I am worrying over not much, although discomfort is a constant reminder.196ViewsSign in to react to this post7CommentsPredict - Breast Cancer app
I’ve just discovered an app called ‘Predict - Breast Cancer’. I may be late to the party on this one and you might all know about it but I’d like to know your opinions if you’ve used it and if you’ve discussed it with your oncologists. It strongly recommends that patients use this tool in consultation with their doctor. The app’s blurb says: “This tool applies to women who have had surgery for early invasive breast cancer and are deciding which other treatments to have.” ”Predict is a tool that helps show how breast cancer treatments after surgery might improve survival rates. Once details about the patient and their cancer have been entered, the tool will show how different treatments would be expected to improve survival rates up to 15 years after diagnosis. This is based on data from similar women in the past. It is important to note that these treatments have side effects which should also be considered when deciding on a treatment.” It claims: ”Development of the model was a collaborative project between the Cambridge Breast Unit, University of Cambridge Department of Oncology and the UK's Eastern Cancer Information and Registration Centre (ECRIC) (now part of the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service) and was supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer Limited (the company had no input into the model at all). The website has been built by the Winton Centre for Risk & Evidence Communication at the University of Cambridge who are funded by a generous donation from the David and Claudia Harding Foundation and the Winton Charitable Foundation. Predict has been endorsed by the American Joint Committee on Cancer.” This is a link to the app: https://breast.v3.predict.cam/tool144ViewsSign in to react to this post5CommentsWhat to expect - AC after Carbo/paclitaxel/pembro
Hi fighters, I am super worried about what to expect with my first AC coming up. I'll be having my birthday gathering 3 days after it too. I've got one more paclitaxel on its own in the 12 week carboplatin , paclitaxel, pembrolizumab regimen. For triple negative. I'm mid 40s. Apart from a few short bouts of intense side effects, i feel I've been fairly fortunate. No nausea. Good appetite. Side effects: Pins and needles - then used cold gloves and socks so only mild tingles after that mostly. Headaches and some fatigue occasionally in first weeks. Constipation after carbo - dealt with easily. Hints of UTI but also dealt with swiftly and all ok. Whole body red rash week 9 followed by itchy hands and feet (skin was fine) keeping me up all night for 3 nights before getting better. Fast testing heart rate in middle weeks - very out of breath and rate skyrocketing with a little activity. I attribute my last weeks being very easy due to skipping 2 weeks due to low neutrophils and getting those booster injections nearly 2 weeks straight. Also paclitaxel dose reduce due to that horrible itch. Do we think AC won't likely be so kind to me? Am I stupid for wanting to get together with friends in my birthday? Of course no sick people allowed! I have remained social and continued to work (at schools!) so far. Please share your experiences with AC, particularly if you feel similarities with mine so far. Many thanks in advance ❤️124ViewsSign in to react to this post2CommentsMonash Health or Peter Mac
Hi I had gone private when first diagnosed with 1 lump and treatment would be lumpdectomy and radiation. Then after an MRI, results showed multifocal in the other breast too. The treatments, and surgery both sides, the out of pocket cost is so high. I would not be able to afford an immediate reconstruction or any private reconstruction. I am in Melbourne and would like to know anyone's experience with Monash and Peter Mac around having a double mastectomy and reconstruction please. I have booked with my GP on Monday to organise an urgent referral. Any experiences would be very helpful. Thanks everyone.122ViewsSign in to react to this post3CommentsMicrocalcification biopsy
I was wondering if anyone here has experience with microcalcifications? In particular, whether they've been biopsied and if so, how many times? And have you had an MRI or other imaging to help understand the microcalcifications? I'm curious because I had microcalcifications show up in my other breast from my first mammogram a year ago. Two core biopsies were taken but a clip/marker wasn't inserted. The diagnosis was: benign proliferative changes. I've now had my second mammogram and they want to do another biopsy and insert a clip. They haven't said if anything has actually changed in that part of my breast in the past year. My surgeon is going to ask the imaging place for more information so I understand what's going on. I'm surprised that they want another biopsy so soon and seemingly without any change. I don't know if that's normal and whether that will be the case for the years to come?!230ViewsSign in to react to this post7CommentsOncotype testing
Hello everyone, I had a double mastectomy with Sentinel Lymph Node biopsy with expanders on 24th August. ER+ PR+ HER2-. Pathology shows clear margins and cancer not detected in Lymph Nodes. Left Breast -DCIS of low and intermediate nuclear grade. Right Breast - Multiple foci of invasive carcinoma LCIS. Six foci of grade 2 invasive lobular carcinoma and a 5mm focus of grade 1 invasive carcinoma. Extensive classic LCIS. I mainly have one question, and I am hoping you can all help me. This diagnosis happened so quickly it was like a whirlwind. Between diagnosis and surgery, I was overwhelmed with information and decisions that needed to be made. At that stage I did not even know about Oncotype testing. My question is can I still request oncotype testing 3 weeks after my surgery? I feel silly that I did not know about this and therefore request it. Any advice is greatly appreciated.112ViewsSign in to react to this post2CommentsMen don't like Hormone Tablet side effects for Prostate - trying new meds
On NBN News some years ago ... watch the video! https://www.nine.com.au/australia-news/new-drugs-trials-testicular-cancer-australia-20181226-p5wt63.html Hydroxychlorquine GH (for arthritis) and Lozanoc (Anti Fungal) medications - a mix of which appears to reduce unwanted hormonal side effects for men. Some men who require taking Hormone tablets to reduce the amount of testosterone (and other hormones) that feed their Prostate Cancer - don't seem to like the side effects that the tablets produce. Weight Gain, brain fog issues, emotional issues, aches & pains ...... HELLO?? So they are trialling the use of a combination of 2 drugs to kill the cancer cells -Hydroxychlorquine GH and Lozanoc are showing promising results. Further down the track, they will trial it on ovarian and breast cancer, apparently!592ViewsSign in to react to this post19CommentsGenomic testing or skip the test
Good morning I do have an inquiry. Been diagnosed had left side.mastectomy and found invasive ca and 1 lymph node with 4mm. 2 weeks after my surgery i opted for axillary clearance and no other lymph nodes were involved. Saw the oncologist and she said i have the option of straight into hormone tabs or do the genomic onco test as clinical trials said theres not much difference with the results. I would like to ask if anyone has skip the onco test score. And im not keen on chemo and scared of the side effects. Thanks146ViewsSign in to react to this post3CommentsMaitland Public or Private Hospitals?
Has anyone here had treatment in Maitland Private or Maitland Public Hospitals? Financial constraints are pushing me towards the Public System but we do have Private Health Insurance so could go Private but the out of pocket expenses are huge or unknown.115ViewsSign in to react to this post7CommentsShort stabbing pain
So today while at work, I have had on and off all day short stabbing pain near where I think it’s scar tissue, it’s been 7 months since surgery and I don’t see the oncology nurse for another 10days. I will call her Monday but in between time does anyone have some relief options, I’m ok while sitting still but as soon as I move it gets me, if you know what I mean! A bit over it and it’s only 1 day so far144ViewsSign in to react to this post1Comment🗣️🩺Cancer Australia invites your participation in the Optimal Care Pathway (OCP) templates
Optimal Care Pathway (OCP) templates have been embedded within the Australian Cancer Plan demonstrating their importance in describing a national standard of high-quality cancer care. OCPs outline consistent, safe, high-quality, and evidence-based care for people with cancer with a specific cancer type or as part of a priority population group. Cancer Australia is reviewing and updating the common templates of the full OCP and the Quick Reference Guide to reflect current best practice and ensure consistency across all OCPs. The Guides to Best Practice Guide Cancer Care for consumers will be updated in the future. Your feedback as a consumer, in conjunction with healthcare professionals will help ensure the OCP templates are practical, relevant and fit for purpose to support consistent, high‑quality cancer care across Australia. You're invited to have your say via the Cancer Australia Consultation Hub by 7 August 2026 If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]52ViewsSign in to react to this post0CommentsPost mastectomy scar management
Just wanting some advice on what products work best to minimise the scars after a double flat mastectomy.208ViewsSign in to react to this post3CommentsAre you on Zoladex? It is being withdrawn from BC patients' treatments in November 2026
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1536059021895756&id=100064750174391&rdid=ZbyIOgLWpVyIo312# BCNA Mez_BCNA Christina_BCNA Can you please look into this and kickstart strong advocacy for BCNA members currently on this drug? It would appear that AstraZeneca is withdrawing Zoladex, a breast cancer and endometriosis treatment, from Australia in November, citing commercial reasons. HOW UNFAIR THAT IT WILL BE RETAINED FOR PROSTATE CANCER, BUT NOT BREAST CANCER OR ENDOMETRIOSIS! There have been 94,000 prescriptions filled in the last 18 months. The higher-dose version, used for prostate cancer, will remain on the PBS. The dose used by women with breast cancer and endometriosis will not. Ashleigh Middleton, a 30-year-old breast cancer survivor from Melbourne, started a petition calling on the government to act. Swipe through to hear from Ashleigh, Kate, and Aimee, three of the women directly affected, and, if you want to help keep Zoladex available, add your name at the 'CHANGE' link below. https://www.change.org/p/keep-zoladex-3-6mg-available-for-australian-patients?161ViewsSign in to react to this post1CommentPost-treatment fatigue - feeling discouraged and frustrated
Hi there lovely people. I finished chemo in Sept '25 and radiation in Oct '25 (so about 7 months ago), and I'm on tamoxifen. I am still really struggling with fatigue and having to pace and limit myself. It's really frustrating. I'm trying to do all the right things: eating well, exercising, doing yoga, seeing friends. I'm on a gradual return to work program, currently doing 3 days a week at 6 hours a day. I started my return to work in March. I was thinking I might be ready to increase my hours in the next couple of weeks.....but then last week I was completely wiped out (as in, had to come home and go straight to bed on Friday), and then I was also wiped out by my weekend exercising and socialising (by no means an extreme level of activity). I'm feeling really sad and discouraged that I'm still struggling so much. I'm being kind to myself but I just want to get on with life and I feel like I'm being let down again by my body. How long will this last? Apparently some people's fatigue can last years! Does anyone have some words of wisdom or encouragement for me?258ViewsSign in to react to this post4Comments
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